Burton Franklin Bales (April 20, 1916, in Stevensville, Montana – October 26, 1989, in San Francisco) was an American jazz stride pianist.
He played regularly in San Francisco in the 1940s, with Lu Watters's Yerba Buena Jazz Band, but was drafted in 1943 and only recorded with that group on one brief session with Bunk Johnson.
He was discharged for myopia and led his own band from 1943 to 1946 before taking an extended residency at San Francisco's 1018 Club.
He recorded extensively for Good Time Jazz, Arhoolie, ABC-Paramount, and Euphonic.
Bales enlisted in the United States army on January 23, 1943.